It was so familiar that Noreen didn''t even need to turn around to know who it was.


    And yet, so distant it felt like a memory she had almost forgotten.<fn4596> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F?ndNovel</fn4596>


    Behind the screen, the two men continued their conversation.


    "That''s why I''m telling you," Spencer Reed said smugly, "partnering with me was the smartest decision you could have made."


    "Yes, yes, of course. Please continue to look out for me, CEO Reed."


    "I''ll look out for you, but I think it''s time we adjusted our share of the profits, don''t you?"


    The other man sounded anxious. "But the kickback I''m giving you is already the maximum I can afford! Any more and there''s nothing left for me."


    Spencer was unmoved. "You know I have other options. You, on the other hand, only have me."


    After a tense silence, the other man finally conceded. "Fine! Fifty-fifty! But that''s my absolute limit, CEO Reed."


    "Deal," Spencer said, satisfied.


    The two men left. Once they were gone, Noreen wrenched her hand free from Seth''s grasp and took two steps back, putting distance between them. Her abrupt movement seemed to leave him momentarily stunned. The sharp line of his brow cast his eyes in shadow, hiding his expression. But Noreen stood in the light, the cold indifference in her eyes perfectly clear.


    "This is obvious corruption," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "And you''re just going to let it happen?"


    Even an outsider like Vincent had noticed issues. It was impossible that Seth didn''t know. He had to know; he was just pretending he


    didn''t Noreen couldn''t underst


    The Seth she knew had beema perfectionist, demanding to a fault Now he tolerated anything. For Bianca, he had truly abandoned all his principles.


    it.


    Seth lookedpletely at ease, as if it were no big deal. "He''s family, after all. I have to show some leniency."


    It was just as Spencer had said: *My cousin is his fiancée. He''s crazy about her. He won''t do anything.*


    She shouldn''t have even asked. It made her look like she was meddling. Noreen schooled her already cool features into a mask of pure indifference and turned to leave. Seth didn''t move, his dark eyes reflecting her retreating back and nothing else.


    After the dinner, Noreen and Seth saw the guests off. Having learned more about her background, they were all full of praise and expressed a strong desire to coborate.


    "I''ve heard so much about you, Ms. Gilmore," CEO Royce said warmly, "but this is the first time we''ve met. You''re even more impressive than the rumors say! You''re clearly destined for great things. You will seed!"


    "I''ll take that as a blessing, CEO Royce," Noreen replied politely.


    "I''m telling you, my words are good luck," he insisted. "When Aurelion Group was just starting, no one was optimistic. But I saw that Mr. Harcourt had vision and guts, so insisted on partnering with him. And look how sessful he is now!" He paused, then added thoughtfully, "You know, in some ways, the two of you are quite alike."


    He seemed ready to say more, but Seth cut in, reminding him that his driver had arrived. With a final wave, CEO Royce left.


    The smile on Noreen''s face vanished. She was about to offer Seth a polite


    goodbye and leave, but he spoke first. "Can I give you a ride?"


    "No, thank you. I have my own car." She hadn''t forgotten what he''d said at the table about picking up Bianca, which was why they''d had tea instead of wine. Besides, she knew he wasn''t being sincere. It was just a polite, perfunctory offer to takeut seriously would be a mistake.


    ***